Serving tray



Feb; 14,1928. 1,659,344

W. F. WISSMAN SERVING TRAY Filed Dec. 22. 1926 gmwmto z [ML/17M PM as/W9 5.

l atented Feh. 1d, lfi d.

teaser PATE WILLIAM F. WISSM'AN, F HAMILTON, OHIO.

SERVING TRAY.

Application filed December 22, 1926.

lvly invention relates to serving trays and is particularly adapted for serving ice cream cones, sundaes {UK the like in drug stores and similar places although it is capable of other uses.

Briefly stated the invention has for its primary object to provide a tray of this kind which is capable of effectually holding a multiplicity of ice cream cones or sundae glasses, or both; and which is of neat and at tractive appearance.

iinotherobjcct of-the invention is the provision of a tray, as characterized, which comprises a minimum number of easily as sembled parts which may be readily.assembled or disassembled to enable the device to be stripped or stored in a small space.

A still further object is to furnish a legsupported tray for the purpose specified, and which involves a novel arrangement of a carrying handle in association with one of the legs which is of peculiar form to provide a n'iounting for the handle.

The foregoing, and other objects which will become apparent as the description proceeds, are attained by means of a novel combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinfter described, and in order that the same may be better understood, reference is had to the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification. The drawing illustrates what I now regard as a preferred embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the in vention as claimed.

in the drawing, wherein the same reference characters designate the same parts in all views,

Figure l. is a perspective view of a tray constructed in accordance with my invention, and

Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof.

Referring specifically to the drawing, numeral 5 denotes a rectangular plate the stock or which is cut out at a multiplicity of points to provide a plurality of annular article receiving sections 5 and 6 which are integrally connected and spaced from each other by portions 8. By reason of the spaced ar rangement of the annular sections 5 and 6 a plurality of ice cream cones, sundae glasses or other articles may be carried at one time and maintained out of engagement with each other.

Serial No. 156,408.

It is to be noted that the annular sections (5 are located at each corner of the plate and have slots 6 which communicate through the edge of the plate to permit of the insertion of the stems of the sundae glasses into the sections 6.

In carrying out the invention the plate 5 must, necessarily, be supported in a plane substantially above the planeof the surface upon which it rests. Accordingly, 1. provide detachable supporting l gs 9, the laterally turned upper ends 9 of which flatly engage the under marginal surface of the plate intermediate each corner and are secured in place by screws 10 inserted through holes in the place and holes in the lateral leg ends 9. Nuts 10 on screws 10 complete the assembly. There are three of the legs 9, the fourth leg, designated by numeral 11, dili'ering from the others only in that it is widened as at 11 adjacent its relatively broad laterally bent upper end 11*.

The widened portion 11 of the leg ll is suitably apertured to receive the inner; end of an elongated screw 12 which extends through the handle 13. By means of a nut l l on the end of screw 12 the inner end of the handle is firmly bound against the leg surface 11. A pair of screws 15 insertable through marginal plate apertures and the broadened lateral leg ends 11 receive nuts 15 to bind the leg 11 in place. Inasmuch as the portions 11, 11 are reiatively broad a good bearing surface is provided for the handle 13 and plate 5. This is necessary because in transporting the tray the whole load is upon the leg 11.

The assemblage can be readily taken apart and stored in a small space. Also if the handle .13 is wanted off when the device is not to be carried about,then it can be readily removed without disturbing the other elements of the device and without detracting from the symn'ietrical appearance thereof. Likewise, when disassembling for storage it is unnecessary to remove the handle 13 from the leg 11. it is important to observe that the handle 18 is apt to rotate on rod 12, if nut 1% works loose; or slip in the hand when wet or when the load of tray 5 is poorly balanced. To prevent this taking place the triangular projection 20 of the plate which overlies the handle 13 may he availed of as a thumb piece.

The device will preferably be made of steel with a nickeled or other polishable plating iii? to give it a neat and attractive appearance. Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A tray of the class described comprising an article supporting member, supporting legs therefor, one of said legs being located at one side and substantially centrally oi the tray, a handle, a threaded stud extending from said handle, said particular mentioned leg having means for receiving said stud below the plane oi? said article supporting member, a nut for clamping said leg and handle together, and a portion ot' said article su iporting member overhanging said handle and constituting a thumb rest whereby the tray may be held against tilting as when the handle is slippery or when the load is unbalanced.

A tray ot the class described comprising an article supporting member, supporting legs there-tor, a handle, a threaded stud extending from said handle, one of said legs having means for receiving said stud, a nut on said stud for clan'iping said leg and handle together, said legs having laterally bent ends detachably connected with said article supporting member at the bottom thereof and inwardly of its outer edge whereby the article supporting member will conceal said laterally bent leg ends, and said article supporting member oi'erhanging said handle to constitute a thumb rest.

3. A tray of the class described comprising a plate having a plurality of spaced cut out portions defining article receiving recesses, certain of said recesses having opcnings cornnninicating with the edge of said plate whereby an article having a relatively restricted portion intermediate its ends may be inserted into and supported in a selected one of said recesses, supporting legs for said plate and detachably connected thereto at spaced points removed from said recesses whereby to permit free access thereto, a carrying handle having means for detachable connection to one of said legs below said plate, and said plate having a portion overhanging said handle and constituting a thumb piece whereby the tray may be held against tilting as when the handle is slippery or when the load unbalanced.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

WILLIAM F. WISSMAN. 

